MARIAN

No more, I'll hear no more! You are a prince, you say?

JOHN

One word—suppose it some small sacrifice, To save those churls for whom you say your heart Bleeds; yet you will not lift your little finger To save them! And what hinders you?—A breath, A dream, a golden rule! Can you not break it For a much greater end?

MARIAN

I'd die to save them.

JOHN

Then live to save them.

MARIAN

No, you will not let me; D'you think that bartering my soul will help To save another? If there's no way but this, Then through my lips those suffering hundreds cry, We choose the suffering. All that is good in them, All you have left, all you have not destroyed, Cries out against you: and I'll go to them, Suffer and toil and love and die with them Rather than touch your hand. You over-rate Your power to hurt our souls. You are mistaken! There is a golden rule!

JOHN

And with such lips You take to preaching! I was a fool to worry Your soul with reason. With hair like yours—it's hopeless! But Marian—you shall hear me.

[He catches her in his arms.]

Yes, by God, Marian, you shall! I love you.

MARIAN

[Struggling.]

You should not live!

JOHN

One kiss, then! Devil take it.

[Enter FITZWALTER above.]

MARIAN

[Wresting herself free.]

You should not live! Were I a man and not a helpless girl You should not live!

JOHN

Come, now, that's very wicked. See how these murderous words affright your father. My good Fitzwalter, there's no need to look So ghastly. For your sake and hers and mine I have been trying to make your girl forget The name of Huntingdon. A few short months At our gay court would blot his memory out! I promise her a life of dazzling pleasures, And, in return she flies at me—a tigress— Clamouring for my blood! Try to persuade her!

FITZWALTER

My lord, you are very good. She must decide Herself.

JOHN

[Angrily.]

I'll not be trifled with! I hold The hand of friendship out and you evade it, The moment I am gone, back comes your outlaw. You say you have no power with your own child! Well, then I'll take her back this very night; Back to the court with me. How do I know What treasons you are hatching here? I'll take her As hostage for yourself.

FITZWALTER

My lord, you jest! I have sworn to you.

JOHN

No more! If you be loyal, What cause have you to fear?

FITZWALTER

My lord, I'll give A hundred other pledges; but not this.

JOHN

By heaven, will you dictate your terms to me? I say that she shall come back to the court This very night! Ho, there, my men.

[Enter JOHN'S retainers.]

Escort This lady back with us.

FITZWALTER

Back there, keep back. Prince or no prince, I say she shall not go!

[He draws his sword.]

I'd rather see her Begging in rags with outlawed Huntingdon Than that one finger of yours should soil her glove.

JOHN

So here's an end of fawning, here's the truth, My old white-bearded hypocrite. Come, take her, Waste no more time. Let not the old fool daunt you With that great skewer.

FITZWALTER

[As JOHN'S men advance.]

By God, since you will have it, Since you will drive me to my last resort, Break down my walls, and hound me to the forest, This is the truth! Out of my gates! Ho, help! A Robin Hood! A Robin Hood!

[There is a clamour from the upper room. The doors are flung open and the FORESTERS appear at the head of the steps.]

FRIAR TUCK

[Coming down into the hall and brandishing his quarter-staff.]

A Robin? Who calls on Robin Hood? His men are here To answer.

FITZWALTER

Drive these villains out of my gates.

FRIAR TUCK

[To PRINCE JOHN.]

Sir, I perceive you are a man of wisdom, So let me counsel you. There's not a lad Up yonder, but at four-score yards can shoot A swallow on the wing. They have drunken deep. I cannot answer but their hands might loose Their shafts before they know it. Now shall I give The word? Ready, my lads!

[The FORESTERS make ready to shoot. JOHN hesitates for a moment.]

JOHN

My Lady Marian, One word, and then I'll take my leave of you!

[She pays no heed.]

Farewell, then! I have five-score men at hand! And they shall be but lightning to the hell Of my revenge, Fitzwalter. I will not leave One stone upon another. From this night's work Shall God Himself not save you.

[Exeunt JOHN and his men.]

FRIAR TUCK

[As they go out.]

My Lord Fitzwalter! I have confessed him! Shall I bid 'em shoot? 'Twill save a world of trouble.

FITZWALTER

No; or the King Himself will come against me. Follow them out, Drive them out of my gates, then raise the drawbridge And let none cross. Oh, I foresaw, foretold! Robin has wrecked us all!

[Exeunt the FORESTERS and FITZWALTER. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF remains alone with MARIAN.]

MARIAN

[She flings herself down on a couch and buries her head in her arms.]

O Robin, Robin, I cannot lose you now!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[Sitting at her feet. The lights grow dim.]

Ah, well, the prince Promised to break the walls down. Don't you think These villains are a sort of ploughshare, lady, And where they plough, who knows what wheat may spring! The lights are burning low and very low; So, Lady Marian, let me tell my dream. There was a forester that bled to death Because of four grey walls and a black nun Whose face I could not see—but, oh, beware! Though I am but your fool, your Shadow-of-a-Leaf, Dancing before the wild winds of the future, I feel them thrilling through my tattered wits Long ere your wisdom feels them. My poor brain Is like a harp hung in a willow-tree Swept by the winds of fate. I am but a fool, But oh, beware of that black-hooded nun.

MARIAN

This is no time for jesting, Shadow-of-a-Leaf.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

The lights are burning low. Do you not feel A cold breath on your face?

MARIAN

Fling back that shutter! Look out and tell me what is happening.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[Flinging back the shutter.]

Look, Look, gossip, how the moon comes dancing in. Ah, they have driven Prince John across the drawbridge. They are raising it, now!

[There are cries in the distance, then a heavy sound of chains clanking and silence. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF turns from the window and stands in the stream of moonlight, pointing to the door on the left.]

Look! Look!

MARIAN

[Starting up with a cry of fear.]

Ah!

[The tall figure of a nun glides into the moonlit hall and throwing back her hood reveals the face of QUEEN ELINOR.]

ELINOR

Lady Marion, Tell me quickly, where is Huntingdon hiding?

MARIAN

The Queen!

ELINOR

Yes! Yes! I donned this uncouth garb To pass through your besiegers. If Prince John Discover it, all is lost. Come, tell me quickly, Where is Robin?

MARIAN

Escaped, I hope.

ELINOR

Not here?

MARIAN

No!

ELINOR

Come, dear Lady Marian, do not doubt me. I am here to save you both.

MARIAN

He is not here.

ELINOR

Ah, but you know where I may find him, Marian. All will be lost if you delay to tell me Where I may speak with him. He is in peril. By dawn Prince John will have five hundred men Beleaguering the castle. You are all ruined Unless you trust me! Armies will scour the woods To hunt him down. Even now he may be wounded, Helpless to save himself.

MARIAN

Wounded!

ELINOR

Dear child, Take me to him. Here, on this holy cross, My mother's dying gift, I swear to you I wish to save him.

MARIAN

Oh, but how?

ELINOR

Trust me!

MARIAN

Wounded! He may be wounded! Oh, if I could, I'd go to him! I am helpless, prisoned here. My father ...

ELINOR

I alone can save your father. Give me your word that if I can persuade him, You'll lead me to your lover's hiding place, And let me speak with him.

[Enter FITZWALTER.]

Ah, my Lord Fitzwalter!

FITZWALTER

The queen! O madam, madam, I am driven Beyond myself. This girl, this foolish girl Has brought us all to ruin. This Huntingdon, As I foresaw, foresaw, foretold, foretold, Has dragged me down with him.

ELINOR

I am on your side, If you will hear me; and you yet may gain A son in Robin Hood.

FITZWALTER

Madam, I swear I have done with him. I pray you do not jest; But if you'll use your power to save my lands ... I was provoked!... Prince John required this child here—

ELINOR

Oh, I know! But you'll forgive him that! I do not wonder That loveliness like hers—

FITZWALTER

Ay, but you'll pardon A father's natural anger. Madam, I swear I was indeed provoked. But you'll assure him I've washed my hands of Huntingdon.

MARIAN

And yet His men are, even now, guarding your walls! Father, you cannot, you shall not—

FITZWALTER

Oh, be silent! Who wrapt me in this tangle? Are you bent On driving me out in my old age to seek Shelter in caves and woods?

ELINOR

My good Fitzwalter, It has not come to that! If you will trust me All will be well; but I must speak a word With Robin Hood.

FITZWALTER

You!

ELINOR

Oh, I have a reason. Your daughter knows his hiding place.

FITZWALTER

She knows!

ELINOR

Oh, trust them both for that. I am risking much! To-morrow she shall guide me there. This bird Being flown, trust me to make your peace with John.

FITZWALTER

But—Marian!

ELINOR

She'll be safer far with Robin, Than loitering here until your roof-tree burns. I think you know it. Fitzwalter, I can save you, I swear it on this cross.

FITZWALTER

But—Marian! Marian!

ELINOR

Your castle wrapt in flame!... There's nought to fear, If she could—Marian, once, at a court masque, You wore a page's dress of Lincoln green, And a green hood that muffled half your face, I could have sworn 'twas Robin come again— He was my page, you know— Wear it to-morrow—go, child, bid your maid Make ready—we'll set out betimes.

MARIAN

[Going up to her father.]

I'll go, If you will let me, father. He may be wounded! Father, forgive me. Let me go to him.

ELINOR

Go, child, first do my bidding. He'll consent When you return.

[Exit MARIAN.]

My dear good friend Fitzwalter, Trust me, I have some power with Huntingdon. All shall be as you wish. I'll let her guide me, But—as for her—she shall not even see him Unless you wish. Trust me to wind them all Around my little finger.

FITZWALTER

It is dark here. Let us within. Madam, I think you are right. And you'll persuade Prince John?

ELINOR

[As they go up the steps.]

I swear by this, This holy cross, my mother's dying gift!

FITZWALTER

It's very sure he'd burn the castle down.

[Exeunt.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[Coming out into the moonlight and staring up after them.]

The nun! The nun! They'll whip me if I speak, For I am only Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the Fool.

[Curtain.]



ACT II

SCENE I. Sherwood Forest: An open glade, showing on the right the mouth of the outlaw's cave. It is about sunset. The giant figure of LITTLE JOHN comes out of the cave, singing.

LITTLE JOHN

[Sings.]

When Spring comes back to England And crowns her brows with may, Round the merry moonlit world She goes the greenwood way.

[He stops and calls in stentorian tones.]

Much! Much! Much! Where has he vanished now, Where has that monstrous giant the miller's son Hidden himself?

[Enter MUCH, a dwarf-like figure, carrying a large bundle of ferns.]

MUCH

Hush, hush, child, here I am! And here's our fairy feather-beds, ha! ha! Come, praise me, praise me, for a thoughtful parent. There's nothing makes a better bed than ferns Either for sleeping sound or rosy dreams.

LITTLE JOHN

Take care the fern-seed that the fairies use Get not among thy yellow locks, my Titan, Or thou'lt wake up invisible. There's none Too much of Much already.

MUCH

[Looking up at him impudently.]

It would take Our big barn full of fern-seed, I misdoubt, To make thee walk invisible, Little John, My sweet Tom Thumb! And, in this troublous age Of forest-laws, if we night-walking minions, We gentlemen of the moon, could only hunt Invisible, there's many and many of us With thumbs lopped off, eyes gutted and legs pruned, Slick, like poor pollarded pear-trees, would be lying Happy and whole this day beneath the boughs.

LITTLE JOHN

Invisible? Ay, but what would Jenny say To such a ghostly midge as thou would'st be Sipping invisibly at her cherry lips.

MUCH

Why, there now, that's a teaser. E'en as it is (Don't joke about it) my poor Jenny takes The smallness of her Much sorely to heart! And though I often tell her half a loaf (Ground in our mill) is better than no bread, She weeps, poor thing, that an impartial heaven Bestows on her so small a crumb of bliss As me! You'd scarce believe, now, half the nostrums, Possets and strangely nasty herbal juices That girl has made me gulp, in the vain hope That I, the frog, should swell to an ox like thee. I tell her it's all in vain, and she still cheats Her fancy and swears I've grown well nigh three feet Already. O Lord, she's desperate. She'll advance Right inward to the sources of creation, She'll take the reins of the world in hand. She'll stop The sun like Joshua, turn the moon to blood, And if I have to swallow half the herbs In Sherwood, I shall stalk a giant yet, Shoulder to shoulder with thee, Little John, And crack thy head at quarter-staff. But don't, Don't joke about it. 'Tis a serious matter.

LITTLE JOHN

Into the cave, then, with thy feather-bed. Old Much, thy father, waits thee there to make A table of green turfs for Robin Hood. We shall have guests anon, O merry times, Baron and Knight and abbot, all that ride Through Sherwood, all shall come and dine with him When they have paid their toll! Old Much is there Growling at thy delay.

MUCH

[Going towards the cave.]

O, my poor father. Now, there's a sad thing, too. He is so ashamed Of his descendants. Why for some nine years He shut his eyes whenever he looked at me; And I have seen him on the village green Pretend to a stranger, once, who badgered him With curious questions, that I was the son Of poor old Gaffer Bramble, the lame sexton. That self-same afternoon, up comes old Bramble White hair a-blaze and big red waggling nose All shaking with the palsy; bangs our door Clean off its hinges with his crab-tree crutch, And stands there—framed—against the sunset sky! He stretches out one quivering fore-finger At father, like the great Destroying Angel In the stained window: straight, the milk boiled over, The cat ran, baby squalled and mother screeched. Old Bramble asks my father—what—what—what He meant—he meant—he meant! You should have seen My father's hopeless face! Lord, how he blushed, Red as a beet-root! Lord, Lord, how he blushed! 'Tis a hard business when a parent looks Askance upon his offspring.

[Exit into the cave.]

LITTLE JOHN

Skip, you chatterer! Here comes our master.

[Enter ROBIN HOOD.]

Master, where hast thou been? I feared some harm had come to thee. What's this? This was a cloth-yard shaft that tore thy coat!

ROBIN

Oh, ay, they barked my shoulder, devil take them. I got it on the borders of the wood. St. Nicholas, my lad, they're on the watch.

LITTLE JOHN

What didst thou there? They're on the watch, i' faith! A squirrel could not pass them. Why, my namesake Prince John would sell his soul to get thy head, And both his ears for Lady Marian; And whether his ears or soul be worth the more, I know not. When the first lark flittered up To sing, at dawn, I woke; and thou wast gone. What didst thou there?

ROBIN

Well, first I went to swim In the deep pool below the mill.

LITTLE JOHN

I swam Enough last night to last me many a day. What then?

ROBIN

I could not wash away the thought Of all you told me. If Prince John should dare! That helpless girl! No, no, I will not think it. Why, Little John, I went and tried to shoot A grey goose wing thro' Lady Marian's casement.

LITTLE JOHN

Oh, ay, and a pink nosegay tied beneath it. Now, master, you'll forgive your Little John,— But that's midsummer madness and the may Is only half in flower as yet. But why— You are wounded—why are you so pale?

ROBIN

No—no— Not wounded; but oh, my good faithful friend, She is not there! I wished to send her warning. I could not creep much closer; but I swear I think the castle is in the hands of John. I saw some men upon the battlements, Not hers—I know—not hers!

LITTLE JOHN

Hist, who comes here?

[He seizes his bow and stands ready to shoot.]

ROBIN

Stop, man, it is the fool. Thank God, the fool, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, my Marian's dainty fool. How now, good fool, what news? What news?

[Enter SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Good fool! Should I be bad, sir, if I chanced to bring No news at all? That is the wise man's way. Thank heaven, I've lost my wits. I am but a leaf Dancing upon the wild winds of the world, A prophet blown before them. Well, this evening, It is that lovely grey wind from the West That silvers all the fields and all the seas, And I'm the herald of May!

ROBIN

Come, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, I pray thee, do not jest.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I do not jest. I am vaunt-courier to a gentleman, A sweet slim page in Lincoln green who comes, Wood-knife on hip, and wild rose in his face, With golden news of Marian. Oh, his news Is one crammed honeycomb, swelling with sweetness In twenty thousand cells; but delicate! So send thy man aside.

ROBIN

Go, Little John.

[LITTLE JOHN goes into the cave.]

Well, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, where is he?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

At this moment His hair is tangled in a rose bush: hark, He swears, like a young leopard! Nay, he is free. Come, master page, here is that thief of love, Give him your message. I'll to Little John.

[Exit into the cave. Enter MARIAN, as a page in Lincoln green, her face muffled in a hood.]

ROBIN

Good even, master page, what is thy news Of Lady Marian?

[She stands silent.]

Answer me quickly, come, Hide not thy face!

[She still stands muffled and silent.]

Come, boy, the fool is chartered, Not thou; and I'll break off this hazel switch And make thee dance if thou not answer me. What? Silent still? Sirrah, this hazel wand Shall lace thee till thou tingle, top to toe. I'll ...

MARIAN

[Unmuffling.]

Robin!

ROBIN

[Catches her in his arms with a cry.]

Marian! Marian!

MARIAN

Fie upon you, Robin, you did not know me.

ROBIN

[Embracing her.]

Oh, you seemed Ten thousand miles away. This is not moonlight, And I am not Endymion. Could I dream My Dian would come wandering through the fern Before the sunset? Even that rose your face You muffled in its own green leaves.

MARIAN

But you, Were hidden in the heart of Sherwood, Robin, Hidden behind a million mighty boughs, And yet I found you.

ROBIN

Ay, the young moon stole In pity down to her poor shepherd boy; But he could never climb the fleecy clouds Up to her throne, never could print one kiss On her immortal lips. He lay asleep Among the poppies and the crags of Latmos, And she came down to him, his queen stole down.

MARIAN

Oh, Robin, first a rose and then a moon, A rose that breaks at a breath and falls to your feet, The fickle moon—Oh, hide me from the world; For there they say love goes by the same law! Let me be outlawed then. I cannot change. Sweetheart, sweetheart, Prince John will hunt me down! Prince John—Queen Elinor will hunt me down!

ROBIN

Queen Elinor! Nay, but tell me what this means? How came you here?

MARIAN

The Queen—she came last night, Made it an odious kind of praise to me That he, not three months wedded to his bride, Should—pah! And then she said five hundred men Were watching round the borders of the wood; But she herself would take me safely through them, Said that I should be safer here with Robin, She had your name so pat—and I gave way.

[Enter QUEEN ELINOR behind. She conceals herself to listen.]

ROBIN

Marian, she might have trapped you to Prince John.

MARIAN

No; no; I think she wanted me to guide her Here to your hiding place. She wished to see you Herself, unknown to John, I know not why. It was my only way. Her skilful tongue Quite won my father over, made him think, Poor father, clinging to his lands again, He yet might save them. And so, without ado (It will be greatly to the joy of Much, Your funny little man), I bade my maid Jenny, go pack her small belongings up This morning, and to follow with Friar Tuck And Widow Scarlet. They'll be here anon.

ROBIN

Where did you leave the Queen?

MARIAN

Robin, she tried To kill me! We were deep within the wood And she began to tell me a wild tale, Saying that I reminded her of days When Robin was her page, and how you came To Court, a breath of April in her life, And how you worshipped her, and how she grew To love you. But she saw you loved me best (So would she mix her gall and lies with honey), So she would let you go. And then she tried To turn my heart against you, bade me think Of all the perils of your outlawry, Then flamed with anger when she found my heart Steadfast; and when I told her we drew nigh The cave, she bade me wait and let her come First, here, to speak with you. Some devil's trick Gleamed in her smile, the way some women have Of smiling with their lips, wreathing the skin In pleasant ripples, laughing with their teeth, While the cold eyes watch, cruel as a snake's That fascinates a bird. I'd not obey her. She whipped a dagger out. Had it not been For Shadow-of-a-Leaf, who dogged us all the way, Poor faithful fool, and leapt out at her hand, She would have killed me. Then she darted away Like a wild thing into the woods, trying to find Your hiding place most like.

ROBIN

O Marian, why, Why did you trust her? Listen, who comes here?

[Enter FRIAR TUCK, JENNY and WIDOW SCARLET.]

Ah, Friar Tuck!

MARIAN

Good Jenny!

ROBIN

And Widow Scarlet!

FRIAR TUCK

O children, children, this is thirsty weather! The heads I have cracked, the ribs I have thwacked, the bones I have bashed with my good quarter-staff, to bring These bits of womankind through Sherwood Forest.

ROBIN

What, was there scuffling, friar?

FRIAR TUCK

Some two or three Pounced on us, ha! ha! ha!

JENNY

A score at least, Mistress, most unchaste ruffians.

FRIAR TUCK

They've gone home, Well chastened by the Church. This pastoral staff Mine oaken Pax Vobiscum, sent 'em home To think about their sins, with watering eyes. You never saw a bunch of such blue faces, Bumpy and juicy as a bunch of grapes Bruised in a Bacchanalian orgy, dripping The reddest wine a man could wish to see.

ROBIN

I picture it—those big brown hands of thine Grape-gathering at their throttles, ha! ha! ha! Come, Widow Scarlet, come, look not so sad.

WIDOW SCARLET

O master, master, they have named the day For killing of my boy.

ROBIN

They have named the day For setting of him free, then, my good dame. Be not afraid. We shall be there, eh, Friar? Grape-gathering, eh?

FRIAR

Thou'lt not be there thyself. My son, the game's too dangerous now, methinks.

ROBIN

I shall be there myself. The game's too good To lose. We'll all be there. You're not afraid, Marian, to spend a few short hours alone Here in the woods with Jenny.

MARIAN

Not for myself, Robin.

ROBIN

We shall want every hand that day, And you'll be safe enough. You know we go Disguised as gaping yokels, old blind men, With patches on their eyes, poor wandering beggars, Pedlars with pins and poking-sticks to sell; And when the time is come—a merry blast Rings out upon a bugle and suddenly The Sheriff is aware that Sherwood Forest Has thrust its green boughs up beneath his feet. Off go the cloaks and all is Lincoln green, Great thwacking clubs and twanging bows of yew. Oh, we break up like nature thro' the laws Of that dark world; and then, good Widow Scarlet, Back to the cave we come and your good Will Winds his big arm about you once again. Go, Friar, take her in and make her cosy. Jenny, your Much will grow three feet at least With joy to welcome you. He is in the cave.

[FRIAR TUCK and WIDOW SCARLET go towards the cave.]

FRIAR TUCK

Now for a good bowse at a drinking can. I've got one cooling in the cave, unless That rascal, Little John, has drunk it all.

[Exeunt into cave.]

JENNY

[To MARIAN.]

Mistress, I haven't spoke a word to you For nigh three hours. 'Tis most unkind, I think.

MARIAN

Go, little tyrant, and be kind to Much.

JENNY

Mistress, it isn't Much I want. Don't think Jenny comes trapesing through these awful woods For Much. I haven't spoke a word with you For nigh three hours. 'Tis most unkind, I think.

MARIAN

Wait, Jenny, then, I'll come and talk with you. Robin, she is a tyrant; but she loves me. And if I do not go, she'll pout and sulk Three days on end. But she's a wondrous girl. She'd work until she dropped for me. Poor Jenny!

ROBIN

That's a quaint tyranny. Go, dear Marian, go; But not for long. We have so much to say. Come quickly back.

[Exit MARIAN. ROBIN paces thoughtfully across the glade.

QUEEN ELINOR steals out of her hiding place and stands before him.]

You here!

ELINOR

Robin, can you Believe that girl? Am I so treacherous?

ROBIN

It seems you have heard whate'er I had to say.

ELINOR

Surely you cannot quite forget those days When you were kind to me. Do you remember The sunset through that oriel?

ROBIN

Ay, a god Grinning thro' a horse-collar at a pitiful page, Dazed with the first red gleam of what he thought Life, as the trouveres find it! I am ashamed, Remembering how your quick tears blinded me!

ELINOR

Ashamed! You—you—that in my bitter grief When Rosamund—

ROBIN

I know! I thought your woes, Those tawdry relics of your treacheries, Wrongs quite unparalleled. I would have fought Roland himself to prove you spotless then.

ELINOR

Oh, you speak thus to me! Robin, beware! I have come to you, I have trampled on my pride, Set all on this one cast! If you should now Reject me, humble me to the dust before That girl, beware! I never forget, I warn you; I never forgive.

ROBIN

Are you so proud of that?

ELINOR

Ah, well, forgive me, Robin. I'll save you yet From all these troubles of your outlawry! Trust me—for I can wind my poor Prince John Around my little finger. Who knows—with me To help you—there are but my two sons' lives That greatly hinder it—why, yourself might reign Upon the throne of England.

ROBIN

Are you so wrapped In treacheries, helplessly false, even to yourself, That now you do not know falsehood from truth, Darkness from light?

ELINOR

O Robin, I was true At least to you. If I were false to others, At least I—

ROBIN

No—not that—that sickening plea Of truth in treachery. Treachery cannot live With truth. The soul wherein they are wedded dies Of leprosy.

ELINOR

[Coming closer to him.]

Have you no pity, Robin, No kinder word than this for the poor creature That crept—Ah, feel my heart, feel how it beats! No pity?

ROBIN

Five years ago this might have moved me!

ELINOR

No pity?

ROBIN

None. There is no more to say. My men shall guide you safely through the wood.

ELINOR

I never forgive!

[Enter MARIAN from the cave; she stands silent and startled.]

ROBIN

My men shall guide you back.

[Calls.]

Ho, there, my lads!

[Enter several of the OUTLAWS.]

This lady needs a guide Back thro' the wood.

ELINOR

Good-bye, then, Robin, and good-bye to you, Sweet mistress! You have wronged me! What of that? For—when we meet—Come, lead on, foresters!

[Exeunt the QUEEN and her guides.]

MARIAN

O Robin, Robin, how the clouds begin To gather—how that woman seems to have brought A nightmare on these woods.

ROBIN

Forget it all! She is so tangled in those lies the world Draws round some men and women, none can help her. Marian, for God's sake, let us quite forget That nightmare! Oh, that perfect brow of yours, Those perfect eyes, pure as the violet wells That only mirror heaven and are not dimmed Except by clouds that drift thro' heaven and catch God's glory in the sunset and the dawn.

MARIAN

It is enough for them simply to speak The love they hold for you. But—I still fear. Robin—think you—she might have overheard Your plan—the rescue of Will Scarlet?

ROBIN

Why— No—No—some time had passed, and yet—she seemed To have heard your charge against her! No, she guessed it. Come—let us brush these cobwebs from our minds. Look how the first white star begins to tremble Like a big blossom in that sycamore. Now you shall hear our forest ritual. Ho, Little John! Summon the lads together!

[The OUTLAWS come out of the cave. LITTLE JOHN blows a bugle and others come in from the forest.]

Friar, read us the rules.

FRIAR TUCK

First, shall no man Presume to call our Robin Hood or any By name of Earl, lord, baron, knight or squire, But simply by their names as men and brothers: Second, that Lady Marian while she shares Our outlaw life in Sherwood shall be called Simply Maid Marian. Thirdly, we that follow Robin, shall never in thought or word or deed Do harm to widow, wife or maid; but hold, Each, for his mother's or sister's or sweetheart's sake, The glory of womanhood, a sacred thing, A star twixt earth and heaven. Fourth, whomsoever Ye meet in Sherwood ye shall bring to dine With Robin, saving carriers, posts and folk That ride with food to serve the market towns Or any, indeed, that serve their fellow men. Fifth, you shall never do the poor man wrong, Nor spare a priest or usurer. You shall take The waste wealth of the rich to help the poor, The baron's gold to stock the widow's cupboard, The naked ye shall clothe, the hungry feed, And lastly shall defend with all your power All that are trampled under by the world, The old, the sick and all men in distress.

ROBIN

So, if it be no dream, we shall at last Hasten the kingdom of God's will on earth. There shall be no more talk of rich and poor, Norman and Saxon. We shall be one people, One family, clustering all with happy hands And faces round that glowing hearth, the sun. Now let the bugle sound a golden challenge To the great world. Greenleaf, a forest call!

[REYNOLD GREENLEAF blows a resounding call.]

Now let the guards be set; and then, to sleep! To-morrow there'll be work enough for all. The hut for Jenny and Maid Marian! Come, you shall see how what we lack in halls We find in bowers. Look how from every branch Such tapestries as kings could never buy Wave in the starlight. You'll be waked at dawn By feathered choirs whose notes were taught in heaven.

MUCH

Come, Jenny, come, we must prepare the hut For Mistress Marian. Here's a bundle of ferns!

[They go into the hut. The light is growing dimmer and richer.]

LITTLE JOHN

And here's a red cramoisy cloak, a baron

[Handing them in at the door.]

Dropt, as he fled one night from Robin Hood; And here's a green, and here's a midnight blue, All soft as down. But wait, I'll get you more.

[Two of the Outlaws appear at the door with deerskins. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF stands behind them with a great bunch of flowers and ferns.]

FIRST OUTLAW

Here's fawn-skins, milder than a maiden's cheek.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Oh, you should talk in rhyme! The world should sing Just for this once in tune, if Love were king!

SECOND OUTLAW

Here's deer-skins, for a carpet, smooth and meek.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I knew you would! Ha! ha! Now look at what I bring!

[He throws flowers into the hut, spray by spray, speaking in a kind of ecstasy.]

Here's lavender and love and sweet wild thyme, And dreams and blue-bells that the fairies chime, Here's meadow-sweet and moonlight, bound in posies, With ragged robin, traveller's joy and roses, And here—just three leaves from a weeping willow; And here—that's best—deep poppies for your pillow.

MUCH

And here's a pillow that I made myself, Stuffed with dry rose-leaves and grey pigeon's down, The softest thing on earth except my heart!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[Going aside and throwing himself down among the ferns to watch.]

Just three sweet breaths and then the song is flown!

[MUCH looks at him for a moment with a puzzled face, then turns to the hut again.]

MUCH

Jenny, here, take it—though I'm fond of comforts, Take it and give it to Maid Marian.

JENNY

Why, Much, 'tis bigger than thyself.

MUCH

Hush, child. I meant to use it lengthways. 'Twould have made A feather-bed complete for your poor Much, Take it!

[The OUTLAWS all go into the cave.]

MARIAN

O Robin, what a fairy palace! How cold and grey the walls of castles seem Beside your forest's fragrant halls and bowers. I do not think that I shall be afraid To sleep this night, as I have often been Beneath our square bleak battlements.

ROBIN

And look, Between the boughs, there is your guard, all night, That great white star, white as an angel's wings, White as the star that shone on Bethlehem! Good-night, sweetheart, good-night!

MARIAN

Good-night!

ROBIN

One kiss! Oh, clear bright eyes, dear heavens of sweeter stars, Where angels play, and your own sweeter soul Smiles like a child into the face of God, Good-night! Good-night!

[MARIAN goes into the hut. The door is shut. ROBIN goes to the mouth of the cave and throws himself down on a couch of deerskins. The light grows dimly rich and fairy-like.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

[Rising to his knees.]

Here comes the little cloud!

[A little moonlit cloud comes floating down between the tree-tops into the glade. TITANIA is seen reposing upon it. She steps to earth. The cloud melts away.]

How blows the wind from fairyland, Titania?

TITANIA

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the wicked queen has heard Your master's plan for saving poor Will Scarlet. She knows Maid Marian will be left alone, Unguarded in these woods. The wicked Prince Will steal upon her loneliness. He plots To carry her away.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

What can we do? Can I not break my fairy vows and tell?

TITANIA

No, no; you cannot, even if you would, Convey our fairy lore to mortal ears. When have they heard our honeysuckle bugles Blowing reveille to the crimson dawn? We can but speak by dreams; and, if you spoke, They'd whip you, for your words would all ring false Like sweet bells out of tune.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

What can we do?

TITANIA

Nothing, except on pain of death, to stay The course of Time and Tide. There's Oberon!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Oberon!

TITANIA

He can tell you more than I.

[Enter OBERON.]

OBERON

Where's Orchis? Where's our fairy trumpeter To call the court together?

ORCHIS

Here, my liege.

OBERON

Bugle them hither; let thy red cheeks puff Until thy curled petallic trumpet thrill More loudly than a yellow-banded bee Thro' all the clover clumps and boughs of thyme. They are scattered far abroad.

ORCHIS

My liege, it shall Outroar the very wasp!

[Exit.]

OBERON

[As he speaks, the fairies come flocking from all sides into the glade.]

Methinks they grow Too fond of feasting. As I passed this way I saw the fairy halls of hollowed oaks All lighted with their pale green glow-worm lamps. And under great festoons of maiden-hair Their brilliant mushroom tables groaned with food. Hundreds of rose-winged fairies banqueted! All Sherwood glittered with their prismy goblets Brimming the thrice refined and luscious dew Not only of our own most purplest violets, But of strange fragrance, wild exotic nectars, Drawn from the fairy blossoms of some star Beyond our tree-tops! Ay, beyond that moon Which is our natural limit—the big lamp Heaven lights upon our boundary.

ORCHIS

Mighty King, The Court is all attendant on thy word.

OBERON

[With great dignity.]

Elves, pixies, nixies, gnomes and leprechauns,

[He pauses.]

We are met, this moonlight, for momentous councils Concerning those two drowsy human lovers, Maid Marian and her outlawed Robin Hood. They are in dire peril; yet we may not break Our vows of silence. Many a time Has Robin Hood by kindly words and deeds Done in his human world, sent a new breath Of life and joy like Spring to fairyland; And at the moth-hour of this very dew-fall, He saved a fairy, whom he thought, poor soul, Only a may-fly in a spider's web, He saved her from the clutches of that Wizard, That Cruel Thing, that dark old Mystery, Whom ye all know and shrink from—

[Exclamations of horror from the fairies.]

Plucked her forth, So gently that not one bright rainbow gleam Upon her wings was clouded, not one flake Of bloom brushed off—there lies the broken web. Go, look at it; and here is pale Perilla To tell you all the tale.

[The fairies cluster to look at the web, etc.]

A FAIRY

Can we not make them free Of fairyland, like Shadow-of-a-Leaf, to come And go, at will, upon the wings of dreams?

OBERON

Not till they lose their wits like Shadow-of-a-Leaf.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Can I not break my fairy vows and tell?

OBERON

Only on pain of what we fairies call Death!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Death?

OBERON

Never to join our happy revels, Never to pass the gates of fairyland Again, but die like mortals. What that means We do not know—who knows?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

If I could save them!— I am only Shadow-of-a-Leaf!

OBERON

There is a King Beyond the seas. If he came home in time, All might be well. We fairies only catch Stray gleams, wandering shadows of things to come.

TITANIA

Oh, if the King came home from the Crusade!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Why will he fight for graves beyond the sea?

OBERON

Our elfin couriers brought the news at dusk That Lion-Heart, while wandering home thro' Europe, In jet-black armour, like an errant knight, Despite the great red cross upon his shield, Was captured by some wicked prince and thrust Into a dungeon. Only a song, they say, Can break those prison-bars. There is a minstrel That loves his King. If he should roam the world Singing until from that dark tower he hears The King reply, the King would be set free.

TITANIA

Only a song, only a minstrel?

OBERON

Ay; And Blondel is his name.

[A long, low sound of wailing is heard in the distance. The fairies shudder and creep together.]

TITANIA

Hark, what is that?

OBERON

The cry of the poor, the cry of the oppressed, The sound of women weeping for their children, The victims of the forest laws. The moan Of that dark world where mortals live and die Sweeps like an icy wind thro' fairyland. And oh, it may grow bitterer yet, that sound! 'Twas Merlin's darkest prophecy that earth Should all be wrapped in smoke and fire, the woods Hewn down, the flowers discoloured and the sun Begrimed, until the rows of lifeless trees Against the greasy sunset seemed no more Than sooty smudges of an ogre's thumbs Upon the sweating forehead of a slave. While, all night long, fed with the souls of men, And bodies, too, great forges blast and burn Till the great ogre's cauldrons brim with gold.

[The wailing sound is heard again in the distance.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

To be shut out for ever, only to hear Those cries! I am only Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the fool, I cannot face it! Is there no hope but this? No hope for Robin and Maid Marian?

OBERON

If the great King comes home from the Crusade In time! If not,—there is another King Beyond the world, they say.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Death, that dark death! To leave the sunlight and the flowers for ever! I cannot bear it! Oh, I cannot tell them. I'll wait—perhaps the great King will come home, If not—Oh, hark, a wandering minstrel's voice?

OBERON

Who is drawing hither? Listen, fairies, listen!

[Song heard approaching thro' the wood.]

Knight on the narrow way, Where wouldst thou ride? "Onward," I heard him say, "Love, to thy side!"

"Nay," sang a bird above; "Stay, for I see Death in the mask of love, Waiting for thee."

[The song breaks off. Enter a MINSTREL, leading a great white steed. He pauses, confronted by the fairy host. The moonlight dazzles him.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Minstrel, art thou, too, free of fairyland? Where wouldst thou ride? What is thy name?

MINSTREL

My name Is Blondel.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Blondel!

THE FAIRIES

Blondel!

MINSTREL

And I ride Through all the world to seek and find my King!

[He passes through the fairy host and goes into the woods on the further side of the glade, continuing his song, which dies away in the distance.]

[Song.] "Death? What is death?" he cried. "I must ride on, On to my true love's side, Up to her throne!"

[Curtain.]



ACT III

SCENE I. May-day. An open place (near NOTTINGHAM). A crowd of rustics and townsfolk assembling to see the execution of WILL SCARLET.

FIRST RUSTIC

A sad may-day! Where yonder gallows glowers, We should have raised the may-pole.

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, no songs, No kisses in the ring, no country dances To-day; no lads and lasses on the green, Crowning their queen of may.

[Enter ROBIN HOOD, disguised as an old beggar, with a green patch on one eye.]

ROBIN

Is this the place, Masters, where they're a-goin' to hang Will Scarlet?

FIRST RUSTIC

Ay, father, more's the pity.

ROBIN

Eh! Don't ye think There may be scuffling, masters? There's a many That seems to like him well, here, roundabouts.

SECOND RUSTIC

Too many halberts round him. There's no chance.

ROBIN

I've heard the forest might break out, the lads In Lincoln green, you wot of! If they did?

FIRST RUSTIC

There's many here would swing a cudgel and help To trip the Sheriff up. If Robin Hood Were only here! But then he's outlawed now.

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, and there's big rewards out. It would be Sure death for him to try a rescue now. The biggest patch of Lincoln Green we'll see This day, is that same patch on thy old eye, Eh, lads!

THIRD RUSTIC

What's more, they say Prince John is out This very day, scouring thro' Sherwood forest In quest of Lady Marian!

ROBIN

[Sharply.]

You heard that?

THIRD RUSTIC

Ay, for they say she's flown to Sherwood forest.

SECOND RUSTIC

Ah! Ah? That's why he went. I saw Prince John! With these same eyes I saw him riding out To Sherwood, not an hour ago.

ROBIN

You saw him?

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, and he only took three men at arms.

FIRST RUSTIC

Three men at arms! Why then, he must ha' known That Robin's men would all be busy here! He's none so bold, he would not risk his skin! I think there'll be some scuffling after all.

ROBIN

Ay, tell 'em so—go, spread it thro' the crowd!

[He mutters to himself.]

He'd take some time, to find her, but 'fore God We must be quick; 'fore God we must be quick!

SECOND RUSTIC

Why, father, one would never think to see thee Thou had'st so sound a heart!

FIRST RUSTIC

Ah, here they come! The Sheriff and his men; and, in the midst, There's poor Will Scarlet bound.

THE CROWD MURMURS

Ah, here they come! Look at the halberts shining! Can you see him?

FIRST RUSTIC

There, there he is. His face is white: but, Lord, He takes it bravely.

SECOND RUSTIC

He's a brave man, Will.

SHERIFF

Back with the crowd there, guards; delay no time!

SOME WOMEN IN THE CROWD

Ah, ah, poor lad!

ROBIN

[Eagerly.]

What are they doing now? I cannot see!

FIRST RUSTIC

The Sheriff's angered now!

SECOND RUSTIC

Ay, for they say a messenger has come From that same godless hangman whose lean neck I'd like to twist, saying he is delayed. 'Tis the first godly deed he has ever done.

THIRD RUSTIC

The Sheriff says he will not be delayed. But who will take the hangman's office?

ROBIN

Masters, I have a thought; make way; let me bespeak The Sheriff!

RUSTICS

How now, father, what's to do?

ROBIN

Make way, I tell you. Here's the man they want!

SHERIFF

What's this?

ROBIN

Good master Sheriff, I've a grudge Against Will Scarlet. Let me have the task Of sending him to heaven!

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

SHERIFF

Come on, then, and be brief!

ROBIN

I'm not a hangman; But I can cleave your thinnest hazel wand At sixty yards.

SHERIFF

Shoot, then, and make an end. Make way there, clear the way!

[An opening is made in the crowd. ROBIN stands in the gap, WILL SCARLET is not seen by the audience.]

CROWD

Ah-h-h, the old devil!

ROBIN

I'll shoot him one on either side, just graze him, To show you how I love him; then the third Slick in his heart.

[He shoots. A murmur goes up from the crowd. The crowd hides WILL SCARLET during the shooting. But ROBIN remains in full view, in the opening.]

SHERIFF

[Angrily.]

Take care! You've cut the cord That bound him on that side!

ROBIN

Then here's the second! I will be careful!

[He takes a steady aim.]

A RUSTIC TO HIS NEIGHBOURS

I' faith, lads, he can shoot! What do you think—that green patch on his eye Smacks of the merry men! He's tricking them!

[ROBIN shoots. A louder murmur goes up from the crowd.]

SHERIFF

You have cut the rope again!

A CRY

He has cut him free!

ROBIN

All right! All right! It's just to tease the dog! Here's for the third now!

[He aims and shoots quickly. There is a loud cry of a wounded man; then a shout from the crowd.]

THE CROWD

Ah-h-h, he has missed; he has killed One of the guards!

FIRST RUSTIC

What has he done?

SECOND RUSTIC

He has killed One of the Sheriff's men!

SHERIFF

There's treachery here! I'll cleave the first man's heart that moves!

ROBIN

Will Scarlet, Pick up that dead man's halbert!

SHERIFF

Treachery! Help! Down with the villain!

ROBIN

[Throws off his beggar's crouch and hurls the SHERIFF and several of his men back amongst the crowd. His cloak drops off.]

Sherwood! A merry Sherwood!

CROWD

Ah! ha! The Lincoln Green! A Robin Hood!

[A bugle rings out and immediately some of the yokels throw off their disguise and the Lincoln green appears as by magic amongst the crowd. The guards are rushed and hustled by them. Robin and several of his men make a ring round WILL SCARLET.]

SHERIFF

It is the outlawed Earl of Huntingdon: There is a great reward upon his head. Down with him!

[The SHERIFF'S men make a rush at the little band. A KNIGHT in jet black armour, with a red-cross shield, suddenly appears and forces his way through the mob, sword in hand.]

KNIGHT

What, so many against so few! Back, you wild wolves. Now, foresters, follow me, For our St. George and merry England, charge, Charge them, my lads!

[The FORESTERS make a rush with him and the SHERIFF and his men take to flight.]

ROBIN

Now back to Sherwood, swiftly! A horse, or I shall come too late; a horse!

[He sees the KNIGHT in armour standing by his horse.]

Your pardon, sir; our debt to you is great, Too great almost for thanks; but if you be Bound by the vows of chivalry, I pray you Lend me your charger; and my men will bring you To my poor home in Sherwood. There you'll find A most abundant gratitude.

KNIGHT

Your name?

ROBIN

Was Huntingdon; but now is Robin Hood.

KNIGHT

If I refuse?

ROBIN

Then, sir, I must perforce Take it. I am an outlaw, but the law Of manhood still constrains me—'tis a matter Of life and death—

KNIGHT

Take it and God be with you! I'll follow you to Sherwood with your men.

[ROBIN seizes the horse, leaps to the saddle, and gallops away.]

[Curtain.]

SCENE II. Sherwood Forest. Outside the cave. JENNY, MARIAN and WIDOW SCARLET.

MARIAN

This dreadful waiting! How I wish that Robin Had listened to the rest and stayed with me. How still the woods are! Jenny, do you think There will be fighting? Oh, I am selfish, mother; You need not be afraid. Robin will bring Will Scarlet safely back to Sherwood. Why, Perhaps they are all returning even now! Cheer up! How long d'you think they've been away, Jenny, six hours or more? The sun is high, And all the dew is gone.

JENNY

Nay, scarce three hours. Now don't you keep a-fretting. They'll be back, Quite soon enough. I've scarcely spoke with you, This last three days and more; and even now It seems I cannot get you to myself, Two's quite enough.

[To WIDOW SCARLET.]

Come, widow, come with me. I'll give you my own corner in the hut And make you cosy. If you take a nap Will Scarlet will be here betimes you wake.

[Takes her to the hut and shuts her in.]

There, drat her, for a mumping mumble-crust!

MARIAN

Come, Jenny, that's too bad; the poor old dame Is lonely.

JENNY

She's not lonely when she sleeps, And if I never get you to myself Where was the good of trapesing after you And living here in Sherwood like wild rabbits? You ha'nt so much as let me comb your hair This last three days and more.

MARIAN

Well, comb it, Jenny, Now, if you like, and comb it all day long; But don't get crabbed, and don't speak so crossly!

[JENNY begins loosening MARIAN'S hair and combing it.]

JENNY

Why, Mistress, it grows longer every day. It's far below your knees, and how it shines! And wavy, just like Much the Miller's brook, Where it comes tumbling out into the sun, Like gold, red gold.

MARIAN

Ah, that's provoking, Jenny, For you forgot to bring me my steel glass, And, if you chatter so, I shall soon want it.

JENNY

I've found a very good one at a pinch. There's a smooth silver pool, down in the stream, Where you can see your face most beautiful.

MARIAN

So that's how Jenny spends her lonely hours, A sad female Narcissus, while poor Much Dwines to an Echo!

JENNY

I don't like those gods. I never cared for them. But, as for Much, Much is the best of all the merry men. And, mistress, O, he speaks so beautifully, It might be just an Echo from blue hills Far, far away! You see he's quite a scholar: Much, more an' most (That's what he calls the three Greasy caparisons—much, more an' most)! You see they thought that being so very small They could not make him grow to be a man, They'd make a scholar of him instead. The Friar Taught him his letters. He can write his name, And mine, and yours, just like a missal book, In lovely colours; and he always draws The first big letter of JENNY like a tree With naked Cupids hiding in the branches. Mistress, I don't believe you hear one word I ever speak to you! Your eyes are always That far and far away.

MARIAN

I'm listening, Jenny!

JENNY

Well, when he draws the first big M of yours, He makes it like a bridge from earth to heaven, With white-winged angels passing up and down; And, underneath the bridge, in a black stream, He puts the drowning face of the bad Prince Holding his wicked hands out, while a devil Stands on the bank and with a pointed stake Keeps him from landing— Ah, what's that? What's that?

MARIAN

O Jenny, how you startled me!

JENNY

I thought I saw that same face peering thro' the ferns Yonder—there—see, they are shaking still.

[She screams.]

Ah! Ah!

[PRINCE JOHN and another man appear advancing across the glade.]

JOHN

So here's my dainty tigress in her den, And—Warman—there's a pretty scrap for you Beside her. Now, sweet mistress, will you deign To come with me, to change these cheerless woods For something queenlier? If I be not mistaken, You have had time to tire of that dark cave. Was I not right, now? Surely you can see Those tresses were not meant to waste their gold Upon this desert. Nay, but Marian, hear me. I do not jest.

[At a sign from MARIAN, JENNY goes quickly inside the cave.]

That's well! Dismiss your maid! Warman, remove a little.

[His man retires.]

I see you think A little better of me! Out in the wood There waits a palfrey for you, and the stirrup Longs, as I long, to clasp your dainty foot. I am very sure by this you must be tired Of outlawry, a lovely maid like you.

[He draws nearer.]

MARIAN

Wait—I must think, must think.

JOHN

Give me your hand! Why do you shrink from me? If you could know The fire that burns me night and day, you would not Refuse to let me snatch one cooling kiss From that white hand of yours.

MARIAN

If you be prince, You will respect my loneliness and go.

JOHN

How can I leave you, when by day and night I see that face of yours. I'll not pretend I do not love you, do not long for you, Desire and hunger for your kiss, your touch! I'll not pretend to be a saint, you see! I hunger and thirst for you. Marian, Marian.

MARIAN

You are mad!

JOHN

Ay, mad for you. Body and soul I am broken up with love for you. Your eyes Flash like the eyes of a tigress, and I love them The better for it. Ah, do not shrink from me!

[JENNY comes out of the cave and hands MARIAN a bow. She leaps back and aims it at JOHN.]

MARIAN

Back, you wild beast, or by the heaven above us, I'll kill you! Now, don't doubt me. I can shoot Truly as any forester. I swear, Prince or no prince, king or no king, I'll kill you If you should stir one step from where you stand.

JOHN

Come, come, sweet Marian, put that weapon down. I was beside myself, was carried away. I cannot help my love for—

MARIAN

I'll not hear Another sickening word: throw down your arms, That dagger at your side.

JOHN

Oh, that's too foolish, Marian, I swear—

MARIAN

You see that rusty stain Upon the silver birch down yonder? Watch.

[She shoots. Then swiftly aims at him again.]

Now, throw your weapon down.

[He pulls out the dagger and throws it down, with a shrug of his shoulders. One of his men steals up behind MARIAN.]

JENNY

Ah, Mistress Marian, There's one behind you! Look!

[The man springs forward and seizes MARIAN'S arms.]

JOHN

[Coming forward and taking hold of her also.]

So, my sweet tigress, You're trapped then, are you? Well, we'll waste no time! We'll talk this over when we reach the castle. Keep off the maid, there, Warman; I can manage This turbulent beauty. Ah, by God, you shall Come! Ah? God's blood, what's this?

[MARIAN has succeeded in drawing her dagger and slightly wounding him. She wrests herself free.]

MARIAN

Keep back, I warn you!

JOHN

[Advancing slowly.]

Strike, now strike if you will. You will not like To see the red blood spurting up your hand. That's not maid's work. Come, strike!

[ROBIN HOOD appears at the edge of the glade behind him]

You see, you cannot! Your heart is tenderer than you think.

ROBIN

[Quietly.]

Prince John!

JOHN

[Turns round and confronts ROBIN.]

Out with your blade, Warman; call up the rest! We can strike freely now, without a fear Of marring the sweet beauty of the spoil. We four can surely make an end of him. Have at him, lads, and swiftly, or the thieves Will all be down on us.

[ROBIN draws his sword and sets his back to an oak. The other two followers of PRINCE JOHN come out of the wood.]

ROBIN

Come on, all four! This oak will shift its roots before I budge One inch from four such howling wolves. Come on; You must be tired of fighting women-folk. Come on! By God, sir, you must guard your head Better than that,

[He disarms WARMAN.]

Or you're just food for worms Already; come, you dogs!

PRINCE JOHN

Work round, you three, Behind him! Drive him out from that damned oak!

ROBIN

Oh, that's a princely speech! Have at you, sir!

[He strikes PRINCE JOHN'S sword out of his hand and turns suddenly to confront the others. JOHN picks up a dagger and makes as if to stab ROBIN in the back. At the same instant, bugles are heard in the distance. The red-cross knight flashes between the trees and seizing JOHN'S arm in his gauntleted hand, disarms him, then turns to help ROBIN.]

KNIGHT

What, four on one! Down with your blades, you curs, Or, by Mahound!—

[The three men take to flight. JOHN stands staring at the newcomer. The FORESTERS appear, surrounding the glade.]

JOHN

[Muttering.]

What? Thou? Thou? Or his ghost? No—no—it cannot be.

ROBIN

Let them yelp home, The pitiful jackals. They have left behind The prime offender. Ha, there, my merry lads, All's well; but take this villain into the cave And guard him there.

[The FORESTERS lead PRINCE JOHN into the cave.]

JOHN

[To the FORESTERS.]

Answer me one thing: who Is yonder red-cross knight?

A FORESTER

No friend of thine, Whoe'er he be!

KNIGHT

[To ROBIN.]

I need not ask his name. I grieve to know it!

ROBIN

Sir, I am much beholden To your good chivalry. What thanks is mine To give, is all your own.

KNIGHT

Then I ask this! Give me that prisoner! I think his life is mine.

ROBIN

You saved my own, and more, you saved much more Than my poor life is worth. But, sir, think well! This man is dangerous, not to me alone, But to the King of England; for he'll yet Usurp the throne! Think well!

KNIGHT

I ask no more. I have more reasons than you know.

ROBIN

So be it. Ho! Bring the prisoner back!

[The FORESTERS bring PRINCE JOHN back. He stares at the KNIGHT as if in fear.]

Sir, you shall judge him. This prisoner is your own.

KNIGHT

Then—let him go!

FORESTERS

What! Set him free?

ROBIN

Obey!

[They release PRINCE JOHN.]

KNIGHT

Out of my sight; Go!

PRINCE JOHN

What man is this?

KNIGHT

Quickly, get thee gone!

[PRINCE JOHN goes out, shaken and white.]

ROBIN

We'll think no more of him! It is our rule That whomsoe'er we meet in merry greenwood Should dine with us. Will you not be our guest?

KNIGHT

That's a most happy thought! I have not heard A merrier word than dinner all this day. I am well-nigh starved.

ROBIN

Will you not raise your visor And let us know to whose good knightly hand We are so beholden?

KNIGHT

Sir, you will pardon me, If, for a little, I remain unknown. But, tell me, are you not that Robin Hood Who breaks the forest laws?

ROBIN

That is my name. We hold this earth as naturally our own As the glad common air we breathe. We think No man, no king, can so usurp the world As not to give us room to live free lives, But, if you shrink from eating the King's deer—

KNIGHT

Shrink? Ha! ha! ha! I count it as my own!

[The FORESTERS appear, preparing the dinner on a table of green turfs, beneath a spreading oak. MARIAN and JENNY appear at the door of the hut. JENNY goes across to help at the preparations for dinner.]

ROBIN

Ah, there's my Lady Marian! Will you not come And speak with her?

[He and the KNIGHT go and talk to MARIAN in the background.]

LITTLE JOHN

[At the table.] The trenchers all are set; Manchets of wheat, cream, curds and honey-cakes, Venison pasties, roasted pigeons! Much, Run to the cave; we'll broach our rarest wine To-day. Old Much is waiting for thee there To help him. He is growling roundly, too, At thy delay.

MUCH

[Going towards the cave.]

Ah me, my poor old father!

JENNY

I've dressed the salt and strawed the dining hall With flowers.

[Enter FRIAR TUCK with several more FORESTERS and WILL SCARLET.]

ROBIN

Ah, good Will Scarlet, here at last!

FRIAR TUCK

We should ha' been here sooner; but these others Borrowed a farmer's market cart and galloped Ahead of us!

ROBIN

Thy mother is in the hut, Sheer broken down with hope and fearfulness, Waiting and trembling for thee, Will. Go in, Put thy big arm around her.

[WILL SCARLET goes into the hut with a cry.]

SCARLET

Mother!

FRIAR TUCK

You see, My sons, you couldn't expect the lad to run! There is a certain looseness in the limbs, A quaking of the flesh that overcomes The bravest who has felt a hangman's rope Cuddling his neck.

ROBIN

You judge him by the rope That cuddles your slim waist! Oh, you sweet armful, Sit down and pant! I warrant you were glad To bear him company.

FRIAR TUCK

I'll not deny it! I am a man of solids. Like the Church, I am founded on a rock.

[He sits down.]

ROBIN

Solids, i' faith! Sir, it is true he is partly based on beef; He grapples with it squarely; but fluids, too, Have played their part in that cathedral choir He calls his throat. One godless virtue, sir, They seem to have given him. Never a nightingale Gurgles jug! jug! in mellower tones than he When jugs are flowing. Never a thrush can pipe Sweet, sweet, so rarely as, when a pipe of wine Summers his throttle, we'll make him sing to us One of his heathen ditties—The Malmsey Butt, Or Down the Merry Red Lane!

FRIAR TUCK

Oh, ay, you laugh, But, though I cannot run, when I am rested I'll challenge you, Robin, to a game of buffets, One fair, square, stand-up, stand-still, knock-down blow Apiece; you'll need no more. If you not kiss The turf, at my first clout, I will forego Malmsey for ever!

ROBIN

Friar, I recant; You're champion there. Fists of a common size I will encounter; but not whirling hams Like thine!

FRIAR TUCK

I knew it!

JENNY

[Approaching.]

Please you, sirs, all is ready!

FRIAR TUCK

Ah, Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, that's good news!

[WILL SCARLET comes out of the hut with his arm round his mother. They all sit down at the table of turfs. Enter SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF timidly.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Is there a place for me?

A FORESTER

Ay, come along!

FRIAR TUCK

Now, Robin, don't forget the grace, my son.

ROBIN

[Standing up.]

It is our custom, sir, since our repast Is borrowed from the King, to drain one cup To him, and his return from the Crusade, Before we dine. That same wine-bibbing friar Calls it our 'grace'; and constitutes himself Remembrancer—without a cause, for never Have we forgotten, never while bugles ring Thro' Sherwood, shall forget—Outlaws, the King!

[All stand up except the KNIGHT.]

CRIES

The King and his return from the Crusade!

[They drink and resume their seats.]

ROBIN

You did not drink the health, sir Knight. I hope You hold with Lion-Heart.

KNIGHT

Yes; I hold with him. You were too quick for me. I had not drawn These gauntlets off. But tell me, Lady Marian, When is your bridal day with Robin Hood?

MARIAN

We shall be wedded when the King comes home From the Crusade.

KNIGHT

Ah, when the King comes home! That's music—all the birds of April sing In those four words for me—the King comes home.

MARIAN

I am glad you love him, sir.

ROBIN

But you're not eating! Your helmet's locked and barred! Will you not raise Your visor?

KNIGHT

[Laughs.]

Ha! ha! ha! You see I am trapped! I did not wish to raise it! Hunger and thirst Break down all masks and all disguises, Robin.

[He rises and removes his helmet, revealing the face of RICHARD COEUR DE LION.]

ROBIN

The King!

[They all leap to their feet.]

OUTLAWS

The King! The King!

ROBIN

But oh, my liege, I should have known, when we were hard beset Around Will Scarlet by their swarming bands, And when you rode out of the Eastern sky And hurled our foemen down, I should have known It was the King come home from the Crusade! And when I was beset here in the wood By treacherous hounds again, I should have known Whose armour suddenly burned between the leaves! I should have known, either it was St. George Or else the King come home from the Crusade!

RICHARD

Indeed there is one thing that might have told you, Robin—a lover's instinct, since it seems So much for you and Marian depends On my return.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Sire, you will pardon me, For I am only a fool, and yet methinks You know not half the meaning of those words— The King, the King comes home from the Crusade! Thrust up your swords, heft uppermost, my lads, And shout—the King comes home from the Crusade.

[He leaps on a seat, and thrusts up the King's sword, heft uppermost, as if it were a cross.]

ROBIN

Pardon him, sire, poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf has lost His wits!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

That's what Titania said you'd say, Poor sweet bells out of tune! But oh, don't leave, Don't leave the forest! There's darker things to come! Don't leave the forest! I have wits enough at least To wrap my legs around my neck for warmth On winter nights.

RICHARD

Well, you've no need to pass The winter in these woods—

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Oh, not that winter!

ROBIN

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, be silent!

[SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF goes aside and throws himself down sobbing among the ferns.]

RICHARD

When even your cave Methinks can scarce be cheery. Huntingdon, Your earldom we restore to you this day! You and my Lady Marian shall return To Court with us, where your true bridal troth Shall be fulfilled with golden marriage bells. Now, friends, the venison pasty! We must hear The Malmsey Butt and Down the Merry Red Lane, Ere we set out, at dawn, for London Town.

ROBIN

Allan-a-dale shall touch a golden string To speed our feast, sire, for he soars above The gross needs of the Churchman!

RICHARD

Allan-a-Dale?

WILL SCARLET

Our greenwood minstrel, sire! His harp is ours Because we won his bride for him.

RICHARD

His bride?

REYNOLD GREENLEAF

Was to be wedded, sire, against her will Last May, to a rich old baron.

RICHARD

Pigeon-pie— And Malmsey—yes—a rich old baron—tell!

ROBIN

Sire, on the wedding day, my merry men Crowded the aisles with uninvited guests; And, as the old man drew forth the golden ring, They threw aside their cloaks with one great shout Of 'Sherwood'; and, for all its crimson panes, The church was one wild sea of Lincoln green! The Forest had broken in, sire, and the bride Like a wild rose tossing on those green boughs, Was borne away and wedded here by Tuck To her true lover; and so—his harp is ours.

ALLAN-A-DALE

No feasting song, sire, but the royal theme Of chivalry—a song I made last night In yonder ruined chapel. It is called The Old Knight's Vigil.

RICHARD

Our hearts will keep it young!

[ALLAN-A-DALE sings, SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF raises his head among the ferns.]

[Song.]

I

Once, in this chapel, Lord Young and undaunted, Over my virgin sword Lightly I chaunted,— "Dawn ends my watch. I go Shining to meet the foe!"

II

"Swift with thy dawn," I said, "Set the lists ringing! Soon shall thy foe be sped, And the world singing! Bless my bright plume for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

[SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his knees amongst the ferns.]

III

"War-worn I kneel to-night, Lord, by Thine altar! Oh, in to-morrow's fight, Let me not falter! Bless my dark arms for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

IV

"Keep Thou my broken sword All the long night through While I keep watch and ward! Then—the red fight through, Bless the wrenched haft for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

V

"Keep, in thy pierced hands, Still the bruised helmet: Let not their hostile bands Wholly o'erwhelm it! Bless my poor shield for me, Christ, King of Chivalry.

VI

"Keep Thou the sullied mail, Lord, that I tender Here, at Thine altar-rail! Then—let Thy splendour Touch it once ... and I go Stainless to meet the foe."

[SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF rises to his feet and takes a step towards the minstrel.]

[Curtain.]



ACT IV

SCENE I. Garden of the King's Palace. Enter JOHN and ELINOR.

ELINOR

You will be king the sooner! Not a month In England, and my good son Lion-Heart Must wander over-seas again. These two, Huntingdon and his bride, must bless the star Of errant knighthood.

JOHN

He stayed just long enough To let them pass one fearless honeymoon In the broad sunlight of his royal favour, Then, like a meteor off goes great King Richard, And leaves them but the shadow of his name To shelter them from my revenge. They know it! I have seen her shiver like a startled fawn And draw him closer, damn him, as I passed.

ELINOR

They would have flitted to the woods again But for my Lord Fitzwalter.

JOHN

That old fool Has wits enough to know I shall be king, And for his land's sake cheats himself to play Sir Pandarus of Troy. "'Tis wrong, dear daughter, To think such evil." Pah, he makes me sick!

ELINOR

Better to laugh. He is useful.

JOHN

If I were king! If Richard were to perish over-seas! I'd—

ELINOR

You'd be king the sooner. Never fear: These wandering meteors flash into their graves Like lightning, and no thunder follows them To warn their foolish henchmen.

JOHN

[Looking at her searchingly.]

Shall I risk The King's return?

ELINOR

What do you mean?

JOHN

I mean I cannot wait and watch this Robin Hood Dangle the fruit of Tantalus before me, Then eat it in my sight! I have borne enough! He gave me like a fairing to my brother In Sherwood Forest; and I now must watch him, A happy bridegroom with the happy bride, Whose lips I meant for mine.

ELINOR

And do you think I love to see it?

JOHN

Had it not been for you He would have died ere this!

ELINOR

Then let him die!

JOHN

Oh, ay, but do you mean it, mother?

ELINOR

God, I hate him, hate him!

JOHN

Mother, he goes at noon To Sherwood Forest, with a bag of gold For some of his old followers. If, by chance He fall—how saith the Scripture?—among thieves And vanish—is not heard of any more, I think Suspicion scarce could lift her head Among these roses here to hiss at me, When Lion-Heart returns.

ELINOR

Vanish?

JOHN

I would not Kill him too quickly. I would have him taken To a dungeon that I know.

ELINOR

You have laid your trap Already? Tell me. You need not be afraid! I saw them kiss, in the garden, yesternight; And I have wondered, ever since, if fire Could make a brand quite hot enough to stamp My hate upon him.

JOHN

Well, then, I will tell you— The plan is laid; and, if his bag of gold Rejoice one serf to-day, then I'll resign Maid Marian to his loving arms for ever. But you must help me, mother, or she'll suspect. Do not let slip your mask of friendliness, As I have feared. Look—there our lovers come Beneath that arch of roses. Look, look, mother, They are taking leave of one another now, A ghastly parting, for he will be gone Well nigh four hours, they think. To look at them, One might suppose they knew it was for ever.

ELINOR

Come, or my hate will show itself in my face: I must not see them.

[Exeunt PRINCE and ELINOR. A pause. Enter ROBIN HOOD and MARIAN.]

ROBIN

So, good-bye, once more, Sweetheart.

MARIAN

Four hours; how shall I pass the time? Four hours, four ages, you will scarce be home By dusk; how shall I pass it?

ROBIN

You've to think What robe to wear at the great masque to-night And then to don it. When you've done all that I shall be home again.

MARIAN

What, not before?

ROBIN

That's not unlikely, either.

MARIAN

Now you mock me, But you'll be back before the masque begins.

ROBIN

I warrant you I will.

MARIAN

It is a month To-day since we were married. Did you know it? Fie, I believe you had forgotten, Robin.

ROBIN

I had, almost. If marriage make the moons Fly, as this month has flown, we shall be old And grey in our graves before we know it. I wish that we could chain old Father Time.

MARIAN

And break his glass into ten thousand pieces.

ROBIN

And drown his cruel scythe ten fathom deep, Under the bright blue sea whence Love was born:

MARIAN

Ah, but we have not parted all this month More than a garden's breadth, an arrow's flight: Time will be dead till you come back again. Four hours of absence make four centuries! Do you remember how the song goes, Robin, That bids true lovers not to grieve at parting Often? for Nature gently severs them thus, Training them up with kind and tender art, For the great day when they must part for ever.

ROBIN

Do you believe it, Marian?

MARIAN

No; for love Buried beneath the dust of life and death, Would wait for centuries of centuries, Ages of ages, until God remembered, And, through that perishing cloud-wrack, face looked up Once more to loving face.

ROBIN

Your hope—and mine! Is not a man's poor memory, indeed, A daily resurrection? Your hope—and mine!

MARIAN

And all the world's at heart! I do believe it.

ROBIN

And I—if only that so many souls Like yours have died believing they should meet Again, lovers and children, little children! God will not break that trust. I have found my heaven Again in you; and, though I stumble still, Your small hand leads me thro' the darkness, up And onward, to the heights I dared not see, And dare not even now; but my head bows Above your face; I see them in your eyes. Love, point me onward still!

[He takes her in his arms.]

Good-bye! Good-bye!

MARIAN

Come back, come back, before the masque begins!

ROBIN

Ay, or a little later—never fear: You'll not so easily lose me.

MARIAN

I shall count The minutes!

ROBIN

Why, you're trembling!

MARIAN

Yes, I am foolish. This is the first small parting we have had; But—you'll be back ere dusk?

ROBIN

[Laughing.]

Ah, do you think That chains of steel could hold me, sweet, from you, With those two heavenly eyes to call me home, Those lips to welcome me? Good-bye!

MARIAN

Good-bye!

[He goes hurriedly out. She looks after him for a moment, then suddenly calls.]

Robin! Ah, well, no matter now—too late!

[She stands looking after him.]

SCENE II. Sherwood Forest: dusk. Outside the cave, as in the second act. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF runs quickly across the glade, followed by PUCK.

PUCK

Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Shadow-of-a-Leaf! Don't dance away like that; don't hop; don't skip Like that, I tell you! I'll never do it again, I promise. Don't be silly now! Come here; I want to tell you something. Ah, that's right. Come, sit down here upon this bank of thyme "While I thine amiable ears"—Oh, no, Forgive me, ha! ha! ha!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Now, Master Puck, You'll kindly keep your word! A foxglove spray In the right hand is deadlier than the sword That mortals use, and one resounding thwack Applied to your slim fairyhood's green limbs Will make it painful, painful, very painful, Next time your worship wishes to sit down Cross-legged upon a mushroom.

PUCK

Ha! ha! ha! Poor Shadow-of-a-Leaf!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

You keep your word, that's all!

PUCK

Haven't I kept my word? Wasn't it I That made you what these poor, dull mortals call Crazy? Who crowned you with the cap and bells? Who made you such a hopeless, glorious fool That wise men are afraid of every word You utter? Wasn't it I that made you free Of fairyland—that showed you how to pluck Fern-seed by moonlight, and to walk and talk Between the lights, with urchins and with elves? Is there another fool twixt earth and heaven Like you—ungrateful rogue—answer me that!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

All true, dear gossip, and for saving me From the poor game of blind man's buff men call Wisdom, I thank you; but to hang and buzz Like a mad dragon-fly, now on my nose, Now on my neck, now singing in my ears, Is that to make me free of fairyland? No—that's enough to make the poor fool mad And take to human wisdom.

PUCK

Yet you love me, Ha! ha!—you love me more than all the rest. You can't deny it! You can't deny it! Ha! ha!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I won't deny it, gossip. E'en as I think There must be something loves us creatures, Puck, More than the Churchmen say. We are so teased With thorns, bullied with briars, baffled with stars. I've lain sometimes and laughed until I cried To see the round moon rising o'er these trees With that same foolish face of heavenly mirth Winking at lovers in the blue-bell glade.

PUCK

Lovers! Ha! ha! I caught a pair of 'em Last night, behind the ruined chapel! Lovers! O Lord, these mortals, they'll be the death of me! Hist, who comes here?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Scarlet and Little John, And all the merry men—not half so merry Since Robin went away. He was to come And judge between the rich and poor to-day, I think he has forgotten.

PUCK

Hist, let me hide Behind this hawthorn bush till they are gone.

[Enter the FORESTERS—they all go into the cave except SCARLET and LITTLE JOHN, who stand at the entrance, looking anxiously back.]

LITTLE JOHN

I have never known the time when Robin Hood Said "I will surely come," and hath not been Punctual as yonder evening star.

SCARLET

Pray God No harm hath fallen him. Indeed he said, "Count on my coming."

LITTLE JOHN

I'll sound yet one more call. They say these Courts will spoil a forester. It may be he has missed the way. I'd give My sword-hand just to hear his jolly bugle Answer me.

[He blows a forest call. They listen. All is silent.]

SCARLET

Silence—only the sough of leaves!

LITTLE JOHN

Well, I'm for sleep: the moon is not so bright Since Robin left us.

SCARLET

Ha! Shadow-of-a-Leaf, alone? I thought I heard thy voice.

LITTLE JOHN

Oh, he will talk With ferns and flowers and whisper to the mice! Perfectly happy, art thou not, dear fool?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Perfectly happy since I lost my wits!

SCARLET

Pray that thou never dost regain them, then, Shadow-of-a-Leaf.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I thank you kindly, sir, And pray that you may quickly lose your own, And so be happy, too. Robin's away, But, if you'd lost your wits, you would not grieve.

SCARLET

Good-night, good fool.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

I will not say "Good-night," Wise man, for I am crazed, and so I know 'Tis good, and yet you'll grieve. I wish you both A bad night that will tease your wits away And make you happy.

[The OUTLAWS enter the cave. SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF beckons to PUCK, who steals out again.]

PUCK

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, some change Is creeping o'er the forest. I myself Scarce laugh so much since Robin went away! Oh, my head hangs as heavily as a violet Brimmed with the rain. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, a cloud, A whisper steals across this listening wood! I am growing afraid. Dear fool, I am thy Puck, But I am growing afraid there comes an end To all our Sherwood revels, and I shall never Tease thee again.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Here comes the King!

[Enter OBERON.]

Hail, Oberon. King of the fairies, I strew ferns before you. There are no palms here: ferns do just as well!

OBERON

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, our battles all are wasted; Our fairy dreams whereby we strove to warn Robin and Marian, wasted. Shadow-of-a-Leaf, Dear Robin Hood, the lover of the poor, And kind Maid Marian, our forest queen, Are in the toils at last!

[He pauses.]

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Speak, speak!

OBERON

Prince John Hath trapped and taken Robin.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Is not Richard King of this England? Did not Richard tempt Robin, for Marian's sake, to leave the forest? Did he not swear upon the Holy Cross That Robin should be Earl of Huntingdon And hold his lands in safety?

OBERON

Only fear Of Richard held the wicked Prince in leash. But Richard roamed abroad again. Prince John Would murder Robin secretly.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Wise men Fight too much for these holy sepulchres! Are not the living images of God Better than empty graves?

OBERON

One grave is filled Now; for our fairy couriers have brought Tidings that Richard Lion-Heart is dead.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Dead?

OBERON

Dead! In a few brief hours the news will reach The wicked Prince. He will be King of England, With Marian in his power!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

No way to save them!

OBERON

We cannot break our fairy vows of silence. A mortal, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, can break those vows, But only on pain of death.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Oberon, I, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, the fool, must break my vows! I must save Robin Hood that he may save Marian from worse than death.

OBERON

Shadow-of-a-Leaf, Think what death means to you, never to join Our happy sports again, never to see The moonlight streaming through these ancient oaks Again, never to pass the fairy gates Again. We cannot help it. They will close Like iron in your face, and you will hear Our happy songs within; but you will lie Alone, without, dying, and never a word To comfort you, no hand to touch your brow.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

So be it. I shall see them entering in! The time is brief. Quick, tell me, where is Robin? Quick, or the news that makes Prince John a king Will ruin all.

OBERON

Robin is even now Thrust in the great dark tower beyond the wood, The topmost cell where foot can never climb.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Cannot an arrow reach it? Ay, be swift; Come, lead me thither.

OBERON

I cannot disobey The word that kills the seed to raise the wheat, The word that—Shadow-of-a-Leaf, I think I know Now, why great kings ride out to the Crusade.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Quickly, come, quickly!

[Exeunt OBERON and SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF. PUCK remains staring after them, then vanishes with a sob, between the trees. LITTLE JOHN and SCARLET appear once more at the mouth of the cave.]

SCARLET

I thought I heard a voice.

LITTLE JOHN

'Twas only Shadow-of-a-Leaf again. He talks For hours among the ferns, plays with the flowers, And whispers to the mice, perfectly happy!

SCARLET

I cannot rest for thinking that some harm Hath chanced to Robin. Call him yet once more.

[LITTLE JOHN blows his bugle. All is silent. They stand listening.]

SCENE III. A gloomy cell. ROBIN bound. PRINCE JOHN and two mercenaries. A low narrow door in the background, small barred window on the left.

PRINCE JOHN

[To the Mercenaries.]

Leave us a moment. I have private matters To lay before this friend of all the poor. You may begin to build the door up now, So that you do not wall me in with him.

[The two men begin filling up the doorway with rude blocks of masonry.]

So now, my good green foot-pad, you are trapped At last, trapped in the practice of your trade! Trapped, as you took your stolen Norman gold To what was it—a widow, or Saxon serf With eye put out for breaking forest laws? You hold with them, it seems. Your dainty soul Sickens at our gross penalties; and so We'll not inflict them on your noble self, Although we have the power. There's not a soul Can ever tell where Robin Hood is gone. These walls will never echo it.

[He taps the wall with his sword.]

And yet There surely must be finer ways to torture So fine a soul as yours. Was it not you Who gave me like a fairing to my brother With lofty condescension in your eyes; And shall I call my mercenaries in And bid them burn your eyes out with hot irons? Richard is gone—he'll never hear of it! An Earl that plays the robber disappears, That's all. Most like he died in some low scuffle Out in the greenwood. I am half inclined To call for red-hot irons after all, So that your sympathy with Saxon churls May be more deep, you understand; and then It would be sweet for you, alone and blind, To know that you could never in this life See Marian's face again. But no—that's bad. Bad art to put hope's eyes out. It destroys Half a man's fear to rob him of his hope. No; you shall drink the dregs of it. Hope shall die More exquisite a death. Robin, my friend, You understand that, when I quit your presence, This bare blank cell becomes your living tomb. Do you not comprehend? It's none so hard. The doorway will be built up. There will be No door, you understand, but just a wall, Some six feet thick, of solid masonry. Nobody will disturb you, even to bring Water or food. You'll starve—see—like a rat, Bricked up and buried. But you'll have time to think Of how I tread a measure at the masque To-night, with Marian, while her wide eyes wonder Where Robin is—and old Fitzwalter smiles And bids his girl be gracious to the Prince For his land's sake. Ah, ha! you wince at that! Will you not speak a word before I go? Speak, damn you!

[He strikes ROBIN across the face with his glove. ROBIN remains silent.]

Six days hence, if you keep watch At yonder window (you'll be hungry then) You may catch sight of Marian and Prince John Wandering into the gardens down below. You will be hungry then; perhaps you'll strive To call to us, or stretch a meagre arm Through those strong bars; but then you know the height Is very great—no voice can reach to the earth: This is the topmost cell in my Dark Tower. Men look like ants below there. I shall say To Marian, See that creature waving there High up above us, level with the clouds, Is it not like a winter-shrivelled fly? And she will laugh; and I will pluck her roses. And then—and then—there are a hundred ways, You know, to touch a woman's blood with thoughts Beyond its lawful limits. Ha! ha! ha! By God, you almost spoke to me, I think. Touches at twilight, whispers in the dark, Sweet sympathetic murmurs o'er the loss Of her so thoughtless Robin, do you think Maid Marian will be quite so hard to win When princes come to woo? There will be none To interrupt us then. Time will be mine To practise all the amorous arts of Ovid, And, at the last—

ROBIN Will you not free my hands? You have your sword. But I would like to fight you Here, with my naked hands. I want no more.

PRINCE JOHN

Ha! ha! At last the sullen speaks. That's all I wanted. I have struck you in the face. Is't not enough? You can't repay that blow.

ROBIN

Bury, me down in hell and I'll repay it The day you die, across your lying mouth That spoke of my true lady, I will repay it, Before the face of God!

PRINCE JOHN

[Laughing.]

Meanwhile, for me Till you repay that blow, there is the mouth Of Marian, the sweet honey-making mouth That shall forestall your phantom blow with balm. Oh, you'll go mad too soon if I delay. I am glad you spoke. Farewell, the masons wait. And I must not be late for Marian.

[Exit thro' the small aperture now left in the doorway. It is rapidly closed and sounds of heavy masonry being piled against it are heard. ROBIN tries to free his hands and after an effort, succeeds. He hurls himself against the doorway, and finds it hopeless. He turns to the window, peers through it for a moment, then suddenly unwinds a scarf from his neck, ties it to one of the bars and stands to one side.]

ROBIN Too high a shot for most of my good bowmen! What's that? A miss?

[He looks thro' the window.]

Good lad, he'll try again!

[He stands at the side once more and an arrow comes thro' the window.]

Why, that's like magic!

[He pulls up the thread attached to it.]

Softly, or 'twill break!— Ah, now 'tis sturdy cord. —I'll make it fast. But, how to break these bars! St. Nicholas, There's someone climbing. He must have a head Of iron, and the lightness of a cat! Downward is bad enough, but up is more Than mortal! Who the devil can it be? Thank God, it's growing dark. But what a risk! None of my merry men could e'en attempt it. I'm very sure it can't be Little John. What, Shadow-of-a-Leaf!

[SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF appears at the window.]

'Fore God, dear faithful fool, I am glad to see you.

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Softly, gossip, softly, Pull up the rope a little until we break This bar away—or some kind friend may see The dangling end below. Now here's a toothpick, Six inches of grey steel, for you to work with, And here's another for me. Pick out the mortar!

[They work to loosen the bars.]

Wait! Here's a rose I brought you in my cap And here's a spray of fern! Old Nature's keys Open all prisons, I'll throw them in for luck,

[He throws them into the cell and begins working feverishly again.]

So that the princes of the world may know The forest let you out. Down there on earth, If any sees me, they will only think The creepers are in leaf. Pick out the mortar! That's how the greenwood works. You know, 'twill thrust Its tendrils through these big grey stones one day And pull them down. I noticed in the courtyard The grass is creeping though the crevices Already, and yellow dandelions crouch In all the crumbling corners. Pick it out! This is a very righteous work indeed For men in Lincoln green; for what are we But tendrils of old Nature, herald sprays! We scarce anticipate. Pick the mortar out. Quick, there's no time to lose, although to-night We're in advance of sun and moon and stars And all the tackling sands in Time's turned glass.

[With a sudden cry.]

Richard is dead!

ROBIN Richard is dead! The King Is dead!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Ah, dead! Come, pick the mortar out, Out of the walls of towers and shrines and tombs! For now Prince John is King, and Lady Marian In peril, gossip! Yet we are in advance Of sun and moon to-night, for sweet Prince John Is not aware yet of his kinglihood, Or of his brother's death.

ROBIN

[Pausing a moment.]

Why, Shadow-of-a-Leaf, What does this mean?

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Come, pick the mortar out; You have no time to lose. This very night My Lady Marian must away to Sherwood. At any moment the dread word may come That makes John King of England. Quick, be quick!

ROBIN

She is at the masque to-night!

SHADOW-OF-A-LEAF

Then you must mask And fetch her thence! Ah, ha, the bar works loose. Pull it!

[They pull at the bar, get it free, and throw it into the cell.]

Now, master, follow me down the rope.

[Exit ROBIN thro' the window.]

SCENE IV. Night. The garden of the King's palace (as before), but lighted with torches for the masque. Music swells up and dies away continually. Maskers pass to and fro between the palace and the garden. On the broad terrace in front some of them are dancing a galliard.

[PRINCE JOHN enters and is met by QUEEN ELINOR, neither of them masked.]

ELINOR

All safe?

PRINCE JOHN

Ay, buried and bricked up now, to think Alone, in the black night, of all I told him. Thank God, we have heard the last of Robin Hood.

ELINOR

[She puts on her mask.]

You are sure?

PRINCE JOHN

I saw him entombed with my own eyes! Six feet of solid masonry. Look there, There's the young knight you've lately made your own. Where is my Lady Marian? Ah, I see her! With that old hypocrite, Fitzwalter.

[They part. PRINCE JOHN puts on his mask as he goes.]

A LADY

But tell me Where is Prince John?

A MASKER

That burly-shouldered man By yonder pillar, talking with old Fitzwalter, And the masked girl, in green, with red-gold hair, Is Lady Marian!

THE LADY

Where is Robin Hood? I have never seen him, but from all one hears He is a wood-god and a young Apollo, And a more chaste Actaeon all in one.

MASKER

Oh, ay, he never watched Diana bathing, Or, if he did, all Sherwood winked at it. Who knows? Do you believe a man and maid Can sleep out in the woods all night, as these Have slept a hundred times, and put to shame Our first poor parents; throw the apple aside And float out of their leafy Paradise Like angels?

LADY

No; I fear the forest boughs Could tell sad tales. Oh, I imagine it— Married to Robin, by a fat hedge-priest Under an altar of hawthorn, with a choir Of sparrows, and a spray of cuckoo-spit For holy water! Oh, the modest chime Of blue-bells from a fairy belfry, a veil Of evening mist, a robe of golden hair; A blade of grass for a ring; a band of thieves In Lincoln green to witness the sweet bans; A glow-worm for a nuptial taper, a bed Of rose-leaves, and wild thyme and wood-doves' down. Quick! Draw the bridal curtains—three tall ferns— Across the cave mouth, lest a star should peep And make the wild rose leap into her face! Pish! A sweet maid! But where is Robin Hood?

MASKER

I know not; but he'd better have a care Of Mistress Marian. If I know Prince John He has marked her for his own.

LADY

I cannot see What fascinates him.

MASKER

No, you are right, nor I.

PRINCE JOHN

Come, Lady Marian, let me lead you out To tread a measure.

MARIAN

Pray, sir, pardon me! I am tired.

FITZWALTER

[Whispering angrily to her.]

Now, Marian, be not so ungracious. You both abuse him and disparage us. His courtiers led the ladies they did choose. Do not displease him, girl. I pray you, go! Dance out your galliard. God's dear holy-bread, Y'are too forgetful. Dance, or by my troth, You'll move my patience. I say you do us wrong.

MARIAN

I will do what you will. Lead, lead your dance.

[Exeunt JOHN and MARIAN.]

FIRST MASKER

[To a lady, as they come up from the garden.]

Will you not let me see your face now, sweet?

LADY

You hurt my lip with that last kiss of yours. Hush, do not lean your face so close, I pray you; Loosen my fingers. There's my lord.

FIRST MASKER

Where? Where? Now, if I know him, I shall know your name!

LADY

That tall man with the damozel in red.

FIRST MASKER

Oh, never fear him. He, too, wore a mask! I saw them—

[They pass out talking.]

SECOND MASKER

[Looking after them.]

Saw you those two turtle-doves!

SECOND LADY

Yes.

SECOND MASKER

Come with me, I'll show you where I caught them Among the roses, half an hour ago.

[They laugh and exeunt into the gardens. The music swells up and more dancers appear.]

[Enter ROBIN HOOD, still in his forester's garb, but wearing a mask. He walks as if wounded and in pain. He sits down in the shadow of a pillar watching, and partly concealed from the throng.]

THIRD LADY

Remember now to say you did not see me Here at the masque.

THIRD MASKER

Or shall I say that I Was out in Palestine?

[They pass. Enter little ARTHUR PLANTAGENET. He comes up to ROBIN HOOD.]

ARTHUR

Are you not Robin Hood?

ROBIN

Hush, Arthur. Don't you see I wear a mask Like all the rest to-night?

ARTHUR

Why do they wear Masks?

ROBIN

They must always wear some sort of mask At court. Sometimes they wear them all their lives.

ARTHUR

You are jesting, Robin. Now I wanted you To tell me tales of Sherwood. Tell me how You saved Will Scarlet.

ROBIN

Why, I've told you that A score of times.

ARTHUR

I know, I want to hear it Again. Well, tell me of that afternoon When Lion-Heart came home from the Crusade. I have often thought of that. It must have been Splendid! You weren't expecting it at all?

ROBIN

No, not at all; but, Arthur, tell me first Have you seen Lady Marian?

ARTHUR

Yes, I saw her Treading a measure with my Uncle John!

ROBIN

Stand where you are and watch; and, if you see her, Beckon her. Then I'll tell you how the King Came home from the Crusade.

ARTHUR

First, let me tell you Just how I think it was. It must have been Like a great picture. All your outlaws there Sitting around your throne of turf, and you Judging the rich and poor. That's how it was Last night, I dreamed of it; and you were taking The baron's gold and giving it to the halt And blind; and then there was a great big light Between the trees, as if a star had come Down to the earth and caught among the boughs, With beams like big soft swords amongst the ferns And leaves, and through the light a mighty steed Stepped, and the King came home from the Crusade. Was it like that? Was there a shining light?

ROBIN

I think there must have been, a blinding light,

ARTHUR

Filling an arch of leaves?

ROBIN

Yes!

ARTHUR

That was it! That's how the King came home from the Crusade.

ROBIN

But there—you've told the story!

ARTHUR

Ah, not all!

ROBIN

No, not quite all. What's that?

[The music suddenly stops. The maskers crowd together whispering excitedly.]

ARTHUR

Why have they stopped The music? Ah, there's Hubert. Shall I ask him?

ROBIN

Yes, quickly, and come back!

[ARTHUR runs up to a masker. Several go by hurriedly.]

FIRST MASKER

The King is dead!

SECOND MASKER

Where did it happen? France?

FIRST MASKER

I know not, sir!

[ARTHUR returns.]

ARTHUR

Robin, they say the King is dead! So John Is king now, is he not?

ROBIN

Ay, John is king! Now, tell me quickly, use your eyes, my boy, Where's Lady Marian?

ARTHUR

Ah, there she is at last, Alone!

ROBIN

Go to her quickly, and bring her hither.

[ARTHUR runs off and returns with MARIAN.]

MARIAN

Robin, thank God, you have returned. I feared—

ROBIN

No more, dear heart, you must away to Sherwood! Shadow-of-a-Leaf is waiting by the orchard With your white palfrey. Away, or the new king Will hunt us down. I'll try to gain you time. Go—quickly!

MARIAN

Robin, your face is white, you are wounded! What's this—there's blood upon your doublet! Robin!

ROBIN

Nothing! Go, quickly!

MARIAN

Robin, I cannot leave you.

ROBIN

Go, Marian. If you ever loved me, go.

MARIAN

You'll follow?

ROBIN

Oh, with my last breath I will, God helping me; but I must gain you time! Quickly! Here comes the King!

MARIAN

Oh, follow soon!

[Exit.]

[ROBIN sits down again, steadying himself against the pillar. JOHN appears at the doors of the palace, above the terrace, a scroll in his hand.]

JOHN

My friends, the King is dead!

MASKERS

[Taking off their masks, with a cry.]

Long live King John!

JOHN

[Coming down amongst them.]

Our masque is ended by this grievous news; But where's my Lady Marian? I had some word To speak with her! Not here! Why—

ROBIN

[Still masked, rises and confronts the King, who stares at him and shrinks back a little.]

All the masks Are off, sire! No, perhaps they wear them still.

JOHN

Who is this?

ROBIN

One that was dead and lives. You say Your brother, the great King, is dead. Oh, sire, If that be so, you'll hear a dead man speak, For your dead brother's sake. You say the King Is dead; but you are king. So the King lives! You are King of England now from sea to sea, Is it not so? Shout, maskers, once again, Long live the King!

MASKERS

Long live the King!

ROBIN

You see What power is yours! Your smile is life, your frown Death. At a word from you the solid earth Would shake with tramp of armies. You can call Thousands to throw away their lives like straws Upon your side, if any foreign king Dare to affront you.

[He draws nearer to JOHN, who still shrinks a little, as if in fear.]

Richard, you say, is dead, And yet, O King, I say that the great King Lives!

[He strikes JOHN across the face. JOHN cowers and staggers back. The MASKERS draw their swords, the women scream and rush together. ROBIN turns, sword in hand, to confront the MASKERS.]

Back, fools; for I say that the great King Lives. Do not doubt it. Ye have dreamed him dead How often. Hark, God in heaven, ye know that voice.

[A voice is heard drawing nearer thro' the distant darkness of the garden, singing. All listen. JOHN'S face whitens.]

[Song.]

Knight, on the narrow way, Where wouldst thou ride? "Onward," I heard him say, "Love, to thy side."